Today marks deviantART's 13th birthday and a handful of us -- spyed, mccann, chris, and me -- have been on this amazing journey since pretty much day one. Thirteen years ago, most of us in that handful were just teenagers, unknowingly embarking on a time in our lives that would shape us, inspire us, and be truly thought-provoking in ways we could have never imagined. Today, I find myself so fortunate to play a role in the ongoing journey that has deviantART at the forefront of solving complex problems that affect the creative community.

Throughout the years, I've met incredible people at deviantMEETs, town hall meetings, and visits to new countries -- all of which have fostered relationships and changed my life. I'm extremely grateful to have talked with every deviant who has crossed my path -- even in a note, comment, or journal. The deviantART community has flourished and prospered in the past 13 years, and we're thankful for that, and for you, every day.

No one loves a birthday celebration more than I do, but before I break out the cake and balloons, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has touched my life over the years and helped cultivate the site I believed in to make it the artistic community I always knew it could be. Thank you.

I had met with you in istanbul a few years ago dear Heide. I dont think you remember me even we have a photograhp together

I m not happy in my country cause of this dictator goverment but so happy to be be here in DA. Love it very much. Thanks to all for making this place awesome for us

An idea from me: please you guys, make it possible to add watermarks to our all works with only one button with one click.Hope it can be possible very soon. I wrote it to a moderator but she didnt reply me back

Man, what a ride it's been, huh? And to think it all started in +spyed's bedroom in his underwear briefs... I remember that photo from the 10th Birthday Bash those many years ago.

Anyway, no respect lost - you and all of the team, oldschool and new - have played such an important role in my life: allowed me to grow artistically, enabled me to meet so many different people with different personalities and purposes, but carried the same amount of passion - and hell, I even got to feature those people with the simple gesture of a Daily Deviation!! SO MANY PRICELESS MOMENTS.

It pains me to say that I'm not home at the moment to join the online shenanigans - My husband and I are visiting his side of the family west of Bakersfield, and we wanted to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary in a stress less environment. But just know that all your efforts for deviantART and all of us are very much appreciated, and please accept my virtual hug as I am unable to make physical contact with you.

It was a joy and pleasure to meet you at the DevMeet in NYC a while back. Yes, we can look back and see how far we have come and look forward to see where we are going. Happy Birthday, deviantArt and many more!